Felix Pedro
Felix Pedro, a persistent Italian prospector, can be credited, at least
partially, with the founding of Fairbanks. In fall 1901, he encouraged
E.T. Barnette to open a trading post at the very spot where he first met
the merchant. Pedro had made small discoveries in the area and knew the
region was rich, but the Fairbanks Gold Rush was off to a slow start.
When he reported several significant strikes in 1902, some miners immediately
came into the area, but the stampede did not take off until 1904. In the
end, the Fairbanks mines had more annual production than either Dawson
or Juneau.
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Used with
permission.
Gold Rush Centennial Task Force, State of Alaska.
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